The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-01-06


their way to Washington, which at that
time was vast military babel 1t was
full of undisciplined men, camp fol-
lowers and adventurers of every de-
scription. Depredations and acts of
outlawry were frequent, and some of
these were attributed to Colonel Els
worth's command. When one of these
complaints were made to the Colonel
he found upon examination that the
damage was small, and rather than have
any trouble about il he paid the amount
out of his own pocket. When the pco-
pie learned that he was paying for
losses, every act of depreciation that
was committed was charged to his men.
In this way the regiment soon gained a
bad reputation. and it was openly ad-
vocated that the command should be
mustered out of service, as it was
claimed that they were a disgrace to
the army. The young commander felt
these aspersions keenly.
''On the 23d of May, when all the
other regiments around Washington
were ordered to leave at midnight for
Alexandria, Colonel Ellsworth's COM
mand was not noticed. He went in
person to the President and begged
that his men be allowed to lead the ex-
pedition. He explained that the only
safety for his men lay in his ability to
get them onto the field and into active
service. So anxious was he to have his
command start that he said to the Pres
ident that if, while on the trip, his men
were guilty of any act that would re-
fleet discredit on them or disgrace to
himself he would be willing that they
should be mustered out of service and
merged into other commands. He
came back to the regiment at ten
o'clock at night with his request
granted. The command was called
under arms and formed in column of
division closed en- massc. Colonel
Ellsworth then spoke to the men and
said:
"'Bovs, to-day I understood that
| movement was to be made into Vir-
ginia. Invent to General Mansfield and
told him that 1 demanded the right
of line sit was our right. being the first
regiment of volunteers mustered into
service. All | can say is to prepare
yourselves for nice little sail, and at
the end of it perhaps nice little
skirmish. When we reach the place
of destination act as men and do moth
ing to shame the regiment. Show the
enemy you are men as well as soldiers,
and that you will treat them with
kindness until they force you to
violence. 1 want you to kill them with
kindness And no matter what may
happen, not shot must be fred with
out orders. Go to your tents, lie down
and take your rest until two o'clock,
when our boat will arrive and we will
90 forward to victory or to death.
1.-The trip across the river was made
that night, as is well-known matter
of history, but instead of capturing the
town and the railway supplies as had
been intended, only the town was
taken and that without resistance.
There has been an attempt to blame
Colonel Ellsworth for the failure of the
scheme, but the reports of the war
now being officially published. put the
blame where it belongs. We landed al
Alexandria before daylight. About
daybreak Colonel Ellsworth started te
leave his regiment, accompanied only
by the chaplain and the correspondents
of the New York Times and Tribune
| As he was about to leave some ont
suggested the propriety of taking {
guard with him. He then called fol
the first squad on the right of the frs
company. This included sergeant
two corporals and two privates. wa:
one of the corporals- We had gone
. three squares and turned south ant
walked two squares when we came il
sight of the Marshall house. 1t was
, three-story brick structure with al
attic and two wings. From the scuttl'
on the roof fluttered rebel flag. Th
rest of us saw it as soon as we turne'
! the corner, but | do not think tn
, Colonel did. As we reached the corne
, he turned TO the sergeant and told hin
, to go back to the regiment and tel
/ Captain Coyle to hurry up here wit
, his company. l do not know whstho
! he had seen the flag or not, but / hav
: never believed that he did. Some sa
4 that he knew it was there and left tn
( company with the purpose of taking
l down. To me this does not appea
! consistent with his actions, for if b
E had known that the flag was expose
4 and had intended taking it down b
force he would have taken the compan
4 with him when he left the regimen
q and not waited until he reached th
! place and then sent back for them.
o "After the sergeant left us Colon
q Ellsworth walked half the length of tf
e block at the side of the Marshall hous
Q and had just stepped across the ale
: when he stopped quickly, looked acros
i the street. and / believe then saw Il
|. flag for the first time. l have alwa,
4 thought that when he saw the flag
Q concluded it was not safe to leave
e hanging until his men came up. b
d remembered the promise he had give
v the President about the mems condu
is and he was afraid that if the flag WI
a allowed to hang and the members
n his regiment saw it they would be
Ie aroused that trouble would result.
n think he believed the best plan was
1t get the flag out Of sight as quickly
3 possible.
d HE stepped to the front OF the hott
% In the Office behind the counter 8
q q man who, when asked by Colon
/ L. 4 kh<, SNvsrAf a.